JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick is soon expected to release a yearlong inquiry of 果酱视频 Public Schools spurred by the ouster of a superintendent for improper spending and hiring.
The audit will be released in multiple parts with the first section now in final review, according to spokesman Trevor Fox of the auditor鈥檚 office.
Fox said members of Fitzpatrick鈥檚 team met with SLPS leaders on Tuesday, and Superintendent Millicent Borishade provided a written response from the school district.
When he launched the audit last August, Fitzpatrick said he was seeking answers to 鈥渁 bunch of distractions related to the financial management of the district.鈥
During Keisha Scarlett鈥檚 one-year tenure as superintendent, the district鈥檚 general operating budget shifted from a surplus of $17 million to an estimated deficit of $35 million for 2024-2025, mostly due to increased spending on salaries and transportation.
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The district also spent $1.6 million on salaries for nine new administrators including Borishade and $1.4 million on 11 consultants who were connected to Scarlett鈥檚 previous job in Seattle. Another $1.6 million was charged to 21 credit cards primarily for unapproved travel, food and entertainment expenses.
The district鈥檚 deficit spending will continue in 2025-2026, with expenses projected to outweigh revenues by $32 million. The district has reported a $200 million fund balance, but financial administrators warn that cuts are necessary to return to a balanced budget.
While it鈥檚 unclear how the audit sections will be divided, Fitzpatrick has said the report will also dig into the district鈥檚 compliance with state transparency laws for government meetings and records. On the academic side, investigators planned to make sure SLPS created individualized plans for thousands of struggling readers as required by state law.
Other recent audits of school districts including Francis Howell have included checks on attendance records, bond issues for construction projects and inventories of school properties.
In SLPS, the cost of upkeep for more than 60 buildings will reach an estimated $1.8 billion by 2044, according to an analysis from Illinois-based Cordogan, Clark and Associates. The figure does not include the 20 or so vacant school buildings still owned and maintained by the district.
The May 16 tornado caused an estimated $77 million in damages to at least a dozen of the district鈥檚 schools.
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick announced a plan to audit the 果酱视频 Public School system following increased concerns over finances, curriculum and busing in the district on Aug. 8, 2024.
